The Third Man Records Cass Corridor space in Detroit had the distinct pleasureof hosting and recording one of the most compelling new guitarists of the 21st century, Mdou Moctar. Mdou is a member of the Tuareg music community gestating in the remote desert city of Agadez, Niger, "where guitars are king." His music first came to the attention of Western music-lovers through the essential field recording work being done by the good folks at Sahel Sounds, first on their 2010 compilation 'Music From Saharan Cellphones'. While much of Tuareg music has become more distorted, faster and bombastic as of late, Mdou's soundscapes are more traditionally sparse, polyrhythmic and deeply psychedelic, with lyrics sung in the style of Tuareg nomadic poets. His show on the Blue Stage at Third Man Records Cass Corridor was proof of how special all of this feels, especially in front of a Western audience, most of whom were seeing Mdou live for the first time.

More MOCTAR, MDOU...

2016 Repress! Tuareg rock from Niger's singer-songwriter Mdou Moctar. Tales of anguished love and broken hearts, plus some well known classics. Famous for his autotuned studio sessions popular on West African cellphones, here Mdou performs live. Recorded on location in ... read more »

This LP features the awesome rocking score for the movie 'Rain The Color Blue With A Little Red In It' (the Tuareg don't have a word for 'purple'), a revolutionary story -or a brilliant re-interpretation of Prince's 'Purple Rain'- of guitars, motorcycles, cellphones and the ... read more »

Born in a nomad camp in Niger and now a leading figure of desert rock, Mdou Moctar stands out as the most innovative artist in contemporary Saharan music. His unconventional interpretations of Tuareg guitar have pushed him to the forefront of a crowded scene. In contrast to ... read more »

Born in a nomad camp in Niger and now a leading figure of desert rock, Mdou Moctar stands out as the most innovative artist in contemporary Saharan music. His unconventional interpretations of Tuareg guitar have pushed him to the forefront of a crowded scene. In contrast to ... read more »

Born in a nomad camp in Niger and now a leading figure of desert rock, Mdou Moctar stands out as the most innovative artist in contemporary Saharan music. His unconventional interpretations of Tuareg guitar have pushed him to the forefront of a crowded scene. In contrast to ... read more »

Music for desert picnics! Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar delves into his more sensitive side with a minimal studio recording of dreamy ballads. Thumping calabash, droning guitars and vocal overdubs evoke an imagined desert soundscape. All instruments and vocals are performed ... read more »

More on the THIRD MAN label...

Previously unreleased recordings of a Detroit based punk band, active during the very early '80s. Spinning at 45rpm, this record makes clear why these five guys were local heroes. Fans of a.o. The Germs, Dead Kennedys and Black Flag will enjoy this archival release big time!

Bonny Doon's music is founded upon an easy, ebbing groove overladen with dreamy texture, simultaneously serving assurance and inviting introspection. Also featuring Tyvek's Shells and Fred Thomas, the band's live-LP 'Blue Stage Session' will delight the fans.

Texas slide guitarist and gospel bluesman Blind Willie Johnson recorded only 30 songs over the course of his life as a preacher and street performer. Even so, the savvy combination of his gritty and powerful "chest voice" singing style coupled with his mastery of ... read more »

France Gall of course was one of the leading 'swinging mademoiselles' during the French yé yé-/beat-era. Her legendary fourth full-length album, originally released in 1965, now gets its first ever US reissue, presented on 180-GRAM VINYL with reproduced ... read more »